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The WTO has already ruled against Russia twice in the affair, in an initial decision on the case and then again on appeal.

Russia brought in a ban on Lithuanian and Polish pork in January 2014 after an outbreak of African swine fever in the countries, later extending this to the rest of the EU.

The EU took Russia to court the same year, and the WTO found the ban broke trading regulations in August 2016, and again on appeal in February 2017.

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Russia banned EU pork imports in 2014 - a move the bloc says was cynical and political

A statement by the European Commission at the time of the appeal ruling claimed the ban had been cynical and politically motivated.

The WTO panel had found the ban was not legal as countries can only restrict imports over sanitary concerns if they are responding to “real sanitary risks” - while the EU was considered a disease-free area.

The Commission statement said: “The EU has one of the world's most efficient animal health and food safety systems, including high detection levels and stringent risk management rules.

“Today's ruling reconfirms that the measures taken by Russia against the EU have little to do with any real sanitary or health risks.

“EU products from disease-free areas are safe and there is thus no need for any country to maintain unjustified import restrictions.”

Vladimir Putin has been weaponising food exports against rival nations since 2008 - particularly as a tool for bringing former Soviet states in line.

However since joining the WTO in 2012, Russia is having less success with the strategy.